Enough Food to Feed a Baby Hippo

Large portions are contributing to the obesity problem too, because people feel they need to eat a lot if they're served a lot. At most restaurants the option's not there, but if it's a pasta restaurant, I will often order the starter size for my main (and not have a starter).

amazing photo

Smaller portions for less money.

Smaller portions for less money.

Pay less for a smaller portion. I hate wasting food!

I agree. Restaurant leftovers are not all that tasty the second time around, plus I avoid heating food in the microwave (destroying what nutrition is left after cooking the first time). About 20 years ago, I started ordering off of the appetizer menu. It allows me to eat a small portion of various foods, and I ask to have it served with the entrees. I'll order one or two (soup and/or salad and a special item). If I am still hungry, I can order something more. If the desserts are fabulous, I will order one to go, to share with my kids (or not) later that night.

I like leftovers. Whenever I eat out, I ask for a to-go box when they bring my entree and I put half the food it in before I start so I don't over-eat and I have lunch for the next day. :)

Pay less, smaller portions.

Quality over quantity!

I always bring home leftovers!!! If I don't eat them someone will!!! That's the amazing thing about being the only girl in the house....My boys are like garbage disposals!!!

I love leftovers. Everyone knows that this gs taste better the second day. The problem is, I also have this problem of eating everything on my plate if it tastes good (unless it's a really huge plate of food) So, smaller portions would definitely be better for me.

If it's there, I'll eat it. So smaller portions would be better for my waist line!

If it's there, I'll eat it. So smaller portions would be better for my waist line!

I'd rather pay less and have smaller portions

I got a chance to try it recently at a holdover lunch counter. They had the old smaller plates. I got a sandwich and fries. The sandwich was not overstuffed but still had horizontal lines and there were 18 fries or so. I paid five bucks for a lunch of the size I would eat at home. I'd go there more but it's out of my way. Rational sizes and prices, please.

We have an abundance of homeless in the area where we live and also where we go to eat. I actually appreciate the bigger portions, so I can take at least half and find someone who needs it. It does sicken me going downtown though, and seeing the disparity between the haves and needy. Seeing people with to-go boxes (who most likely will let in sit in the fridge and then throw it out in a week) walking right past people who are starving is awful to watch...

I'll take the smaller portion! Please and Thank You. This looks like a Cardiac Arrest in the making. LOL

I'd pay the same for more reasonable portions made with better ingredients.

When we go out to eat, as soon as they bring my meal, I immediately put half aside to bring home for lunch the next day. Portion sizes are utter madness in this country. I kinda like getting 2 meals out of it, though, so I don't know that I'd opt for the smaller portions.

When we go out to eat, as soon as they bring my meal, I immediately put half aside to bring home for lunch the next day. Portion sizes are utter madness in this country. I kinda like getting 2 meals out of it, though, so I don't know that I'd opt for the smaller portions.

It's an "American thing" Come to Canada, especially to British Columbia, where green living and healthly attitudes abound. Whenever I visit the USA I can't believe the portion sizes, no wonder obesity is such a huge problem.

I'm with the majority (for once) - pay less / smaller portions.

I'll pay whatever for smaller amounts if the food is good. I am constantly having fights with McDonald's because I refuse to order Value meals ... they are so serious about saving me money!

I'll pay whatever for smaller amounts if the food is good. I am constantly having fights with McDonald's because I refuse to order Value meals ... they are so serious about saving me money!

I would rather have smaller portions.

*my

(Wow, I love how I called for smaller portions, and in mg profile picture, I'm about to eat a pancake the size of Maine!)

Less for less, please. I just don't eat that much. I love leftovers when they're of my own making, though - the post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich, for example, is totally awesome!

Smaller portions...stay fit and trim!

I love leftovers. However, I wish more restaurants would offer choices on portion sizes, so you could have options. Many do have 1/2 orders, which is great if that's all you want or you aren't in a position to take leftovers home right away.

I dig grubbin' on leftovers. If it's good once, I'm all over it. So says this bachelor.

I would rather pay less for less and if I liked it enough to want leftovers, I'd buy extra to take home.

Well.  I have FINALLY found something to disagree with you on Dan!!    As a single dad, with a 9 and 10 yo son... it is ALL about the food distribution.   My first crack at dinner is the stuff they leave behind.  We like meat pies... but they like the insides most, and I love the crust... so I nibble as I clear away their remains of pie crust.

In restaurants, I LOVE the "doggie" bag... it is either a meal for them , or one for me, that I don't have to cook the next day.  I have even ordered an extra portion on occasion that has made it into the boys lunch box the next day.

So... now you know where to send your extras to!   (So way kidding on that... seriously....)

I love leftovers! My husband eats leftovers for lunch the next day and we usually have a "no cook" day and finish off any leftovers in the fridge.

I don't care as long as it tastes good and is high-quality food!

I've lived in Europe for many years, and every time I go back to visit CA, I'm disgusted by the portions. A fine presentation of a plate of good food doesn't seem to exist anymore - it's just a big mass of food stacked on a plate - or several plates. Gross. We went to a popular bbq place and ended up with 3-4 plates each for the main course!

When my wife and I go to our favorite Mexican restaurant, they serve chips and salsa before the meal.  We then order an entree of beef fajitas which we split and take half home for leftovers the next day.  4 meals in one restaurant serving.  I think they started upping portion sizes initially to justify raising prices.  At some point the scale tipped and I notice many restaurant portions getting smaller while the price remains static or continues increasing.

Less for smaller portion for sure.

I really don't like the larger portion sizes. I, and most people I've ever seen, will eat what is in front of me, especially if I am distracted by pleasant conversation or if the food is really good.. Yes, I can learn to set aside part of my dinner in a take-away container as the meal first arrives, but I don't want to have to do that. Please, just give me half the food, and I'll be happy!

*sandwich

*sandwich

I'm with Tiffany. I love leftovers, and sometimes will order an entree I know is big enough to be lunch the next day. But I would also pay less for just what I want at the time. I do like the option to order a half salad or half sandwiche sometimes.

I'm with Tiffany. I love leftovers, and sometimes will order an entree I know is big enough to be lunch the next day. But I would also pay less for just what I want at the time. I do like the option to order a half salad or half sandwiche sometimes.

I don't care as long as the food is good. :P

less

Love left overs :) but if it were to be less for the amount I actually eat then awesome too

Love left overs :) but if it were to be less for the amount I actually eat then awesome too

I hate leftovers. They just sit in my fridge until I throw them out. I'd rather pay less and have smaller portions.

Pay less for smaller portions. I HATE leftovers. Eating the same thing for days KILLS me.